Cotton picking spindle



Jan. 18, 1955 M. D. RUST COTION PICKING SPINDLE 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed March 21, 1950 INVENTUR. Maq/z Q 21/52 ATTORNEY' Jan. 18, 1955 M. D. RUST COTTON PICKING SPINDLE 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed March 21, 1950 w Rd mp m0 k Ma HTTOE/VE V5 Jan. 18, 1955 M. D. RUST 2,699,638

COTTON PICKING SPINDLE Filed March 21, 1950 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 MSW u M. M mam \m MN I Rah 855,112$8 251 1 an?!" n .5 1 I lm" v w m mHfV P 4 INVENTOR. Mack 0. Easy FITTO/Z/VEVS' United States Patent COTTON PICKING- SPINDLE Mack D. Rust, Coalinga, Calif.

Application March 21, 1950, Serial No. 150,914

Claims. (Cl. 56-50) This invention relates generally to cotton picking machines of the type making use of a plurality of rotating 1sapilrlidles for the removal of cotton fiber from the plant Conventional cotton picking machines of the rotating spindle type employ a large number of rotating spindles arranged in vertically spaced rows. The spindles are adapted to progress successively through a picking zone in which the spindles are thrust into the plants, a strip ping zone in which cotton carried by the spindles is removed and a moistening zone in which moisture is applied to the spindles before returning them to the picking zone. In one type of such cotton picking machine, which can be referred to as of the Rust type (see for example Patents 1,894,l 98, 2,058,514, 2,085,046 and 2,466,969), the spindles are carried by endless elongated belts or chains and rotated by friction drive means. The picking spindles employed are smooth surfaced cylindrical rods of relatively small diameter. In another type which can be referred to as the International type (see Patents 2,140,631 and 2,247,686), a drum carrier is provided for the spindles, and the spindles are rotated by a positive gear drive. Relatively heavy tapered spindles are employed, which have rows of struck-out spurs or teeth to engage the fiber.

The efiiciency of operation of such a cotton picking machine is determined by the amount of cotton which it will effectively pick from the plants in one pass, in proportion to the total cotton available for picking. It is obviously desirable to maintain the picking efliciency relatively high, because if a considerable amount of cotton in open bolls is left upon the plant, it may necessitate a second machine or hand picking operation. A second machine or hand picking operation greatly increases the over-all picking costs and reduces the effective daily capacity of a machine.

A typical picking spindle for a Rust type cotton picking machine conslsts of a metal rod about 8 inches in a length and about 0.162 inch in diameter. A driving knob is mounted upon one end of the spindle. When installed in the machine the spindles are journaled to vertically extending slats, and they are rotated continuously at a speed of say 1300 R. P. M. while in the picking zone. The picking etficiency of the machine is largely dependent upon the ability of these spindles to engage the cotton in the bolls, and after initial engagement to wind up the fiber upon the spindles to thereby remove it from the bolls. At the initial part of this picking operation some surface fibers come into contact with the spindle and adhere thereto for a sufficient interval to insure the start of a winding on process. It is common practice to moisten the surfaces of the spindles in an effort to increase tendency for initial contacting fibers to adhere to and wind up on the spindles. Moistening is definitely advantageous but cannot be relied upon by itself to secure picking efliciencies of the order made possible by the present invention. Struck-out spurs or teeth such as are provided on the tapered spindles of the In ternational type machines tend to lose their effectiveness with usage, due to blunting of the initially sharp points of the spurs through wear. Thus such spindles do not retain their effectiveness throughout their life. Providing spindles such as used in the Rust machine with flutes, rather than smooth peripheral surfaces, does not provide picking effectiveness comparable to the present invention. extent with stripping of the fiber from the spindles.

Another problem which has been encountered with cotton picking machines employing rotating spindles, is the provision of means for effectively rotating the spindles as they progress through the picking zone. Adequate turning torque should be applied to all of the spindles and the elements of the drive means employed should be readily removable for repair or replacement. Driving means such as have been employed in the past have in many instances employed relatively expensive parts, and the parts have not been readily accessible for repair or replacement. With friction drives such as have been used in the past with machines of the Rust type, it has been difficult to provide properly equalized torque to all of the spindles being driven, and in addition it has been difficult to maintain the desired torque to all of the spindles as friction driving elements wear away. Positive drive gearing such as is employed with machines of the International type is relatively expensive to manufacture, and is difiicult and expensive to service and maintain.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved spindle construction for a cotton picking machine which will be characterized by more eflicient picking action.

It is another object of the invention to provide an improved cotton picking spindle which is so constructed that it does not materially lose its picking effectiveness throughout its life.

It is another object of the invention to provide an improved cotton picking spindle which will enable the cotton fiber to be stripped from the same as easily as from a standard smooth surfaced spindle, and which in general will afford more eflicient picking action.

A further object of the invention is to provide a picking spindle which is relatively cheap to manufacture, and which can be made with substantially the same inherent strength as smooth surfaced spindles.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved drive means for cotton picking spindles, the parts of which are readily accessible for repair or replacement.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved drive means which will provide uniformly adequate torque to all of the picking spindles in the picking zone, and will maintain this condition until the friction drive elements are fully worn out by usage.

Another object'of the invention is to provide drive means which will prevent injury to the knobs on the ends of the spindles, when the friction drive elements of the same have worn to a sufficient degree to require replacement.

Additional objects of the invention will appear from the following description in which the preferred embodiment of the invention has been set forth in detail in conjunction with the accompanying drawing.

Referring to the drawing:

Figure 1 is a plan view illustrating a part of a cotton picking machine with portions broken away, and incorporating the present invention.

Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view, on an enlarged scale, taken along the line 22 of Figure l.

Figure 3 is an enlarged view of a portion of the device as shown in Figure 2.

Figure 4 is a crosssectional detail taken along the line 4-4 of Figure 3.

Figure 5 is an enlarged detail view with parts broken away and shown in section illustrating suitable latch r means for holding each of the backing up bars in operative position.

Figures 6 and 7 are enlarged schematic views illustrat-' ing the manner in which spindles are driven by frictional engagement with a part of the drive means.

illustrating means for retaining the drive unit in opera- Also such flutes appear to interfere to some 30 tive position with respect to the backing bars.

Figure 10 is an enlarged plan view illustrating one of the picking spindles.

- floor: 29 of. the machine.

shown aportion of a cotton picking machine'of-the-Rust;

type. The parts illustrated include themachine frame 10, which is carriedby suitable wheels, and which serves to support allof the working'parts. Forward and rear vertical shafts 1.1 and 12 are journaled to the frame, and

serne'to mount the two pairsof chainsprockets 153 and- 14; Upper and lower chains 16- and 17 engage the sprockets 13 and14', and-serveto carry the vertical rows of picking spindles 18. The upper chain 16 is shown guided between fiber strips 19and- 21, which are carried by the structural'framemembers 22-and 23-. The lower chain 17- is similarly guided between the fiber strips 24 and-'26, which are carried by-the structural frame parts-27' and 28. The latter frame parts can be secured to the As shown in Patent 2,085,046, a=plurality=of forklike plant engaging members 31- can be carried-by the lower chain 17. Both the upper and lower chains are retained between the guide strips by enlargedretaining links which are designatedby numbers 32 and 33 for the upper chain, and 34 and 35 for the lower chain;

The picking spindles 18 are carried by a plurality of vertically extending-slats 37. Mounting hinge arms 38 and l9'are attached to the upper and lower ends of eachslat, and are pivotally attachedto projecting end portions of the chain pivot pins. The slats may be formed of pressed metal parts as illustrated in Figures 3 and 4. Thus; in this'instance two pressed'metal parts 37a and 371: are secured together and serve to carry the wax impregnated Wood strips 41, and the felt wiper strips 42. Holes are formed atregular vertically spaced intervals through the strips-41 and 42; to journalthe spindles 18.

The picking zone'or tunnel of the machine, through whichthe plan-ts pass,- is defined-on one side by aplurality of longitudinally extending fins 43, whichare spaced apart vertically,-and'which are carried by the depending frame parts 44$ 'The other'side of the tunnel is defined by the. rhenibers-46 (Figures 1, 2 and-3) which extend between the paths of movement ofthe spindles 18, and which are seemed their ends to the main machine frame. As illustrated in Figures v1 and 2 the spindles 18' are of sufficieri t lerigthto extend to a point between the fins 43. The spindles 18' are of special construction as will be presently described. a

Special drive means is employed for rotating thespindles as they'p'ass throughthe picking zone. Referring particularly'to Figures Band t,v adrive roller or knobAS is secured to the end of each spindIe,,and itsperipheral surface is fluted or knurled as illustrated; A special friction di' ivejiinit 49 cooperates with two adjacentrows of spindles todrive the same with suflicient torque to accomplish the desired picking operation. The driving unitsare disposed-betweenthe vertically spaced backing'bars or-members 51, which are preferably fabricated frornf-sheetl metal be rectangular in cross-sectional contour'asillustrated in Figure 3. Theouter wall of each backing bar 51 is provided with-a-fiber surfacing 52, which may engage the end faces of the adjacent rollers 48', to thereby prevent disp'lac'ementof thespindles with respect tothe slats 37. As;will :beapresently explained the backing bars 51 are removably secured :attheirends .to the frame of the rnachine.

Each of the drive units 49 consists of pressed metal side members 53, which are benttowardeach other M54, and which; provide extension .portions. 55 disposed between adjacent rowsof rollers 48, Preferably the plates, are

(led. with slots 56 as illustrated-in Figure; 4 and which and their end portions 57a can be tapered;asillustrateddn Figure 7, to effect gradual driving relation between the rollers and the faces of the strips. Enclosed between the through portions 54 andSS. Such slots pro videmembers'53, and offset laterally from the drive strips 57, there is a tube 58 of rubber or like resilient material, which is adapted to be inflated by pneumatic pressure.

The inner edges of the members 53 are apertured to loosely accommodate the pins 59. These pins also extend through the spacer members 60 and the branches of the U-shaped pressed metal member 61, the latter forming a mounting member extending the; length of the drive unit.

At the end of each drive unit there is a tube 62 (Figure l) which connects, with the inflatable rubber tube 58, and these tubes all connect with the common manifold 63. An air supply. pipe 64 connectswith the manifold 63, and extends to a source of air under pressure, through a suitable control valve.

The drive units 49 can be generally held in place beand68 of the backing bars 51-. Thus-the pins 66"serve to hold the. drive units in operative position, and by the removal of these pins, the drive units can be removed in entirety:

It is desirableto provide for ready' removal of the, backing bars'51. Thus-a plurality of vertically extendingstructural members 71 are provided, which have their ends removably attached to the structural frame parts; 2S'and 28 (Figure 2). Each of these structuralmembers is provided with studs 72 which are removably accorn+ modated in apertures 73-provided in-the'backing bars51. The structural members 71, together with the studs 72' therefore serve as means for gen ally retaining the backing bars 51in place, andwith pr per vertical spacing bee tween the same. However structure members71' can be readily removed, tofacilitate removal of the backing bars.

The forward end of each of'the backing bars isretained'j in place by latch means suchas shown in Figure '5 Thus, a web 74,is-attached tothe forward end of each of the, bars 51, and serves to carry a pivoted latch 76. Thisjlatcli is urged by spring 77 'into engagement with the latchaper ture 78, which is formed in the vertical frame ,i ember. 79; By manually retracting the latch 76, the corresponding backing bar 51' can be swung away-from the spindlesland. removed from the machine frame.

The rear end of each backing bar is provided with lock: in means, whichpermits ready removaLof the bars after; the' latches 76 have been released, Thusas shown in, Figure8 a vertical frame member 8.1 is providedjwith a. bracket 82 which isslotted to form aplurality of;ver tically spaced fingers 83; Thefingers83 are dimensionedito, fit between-the backing bars. Each backing barcarries a plate- 84 which forms tabs 85 adapted' to engagebehind two adjacent fingers 83', when ,the parts. are properly positionedj and the backing bar ismovedjto theleft .tojlocked position, as viewed in Figure 8. It willbe evident. that when the, other end ofthe backingbar is releasedland' swungoutwardlyfa short distance, then thebar; can. be moved forwardly of the machine to disengage. tabs.;3.5 from the associated fingers 83.

Qperation of the, drive means described. above. is as; follows: When the machine is-in operation airat a,,pre determinedpressure is supplied to theinflatable tubes 58, n e xp ns on. hese u es rg s thefrictionidrive strips 57; into. frictional engagement with, the spindle;

knobs or rollers 48. Pressure is evenly distributed,

throughout the length of the drive unit, whereby apredeterminedgtorque is available for each-.of thespindl'es Generally the slats extend at an angleslightly, off with respectto the, strips 57, so. that. a forcecomnonent is developedlongitudinally ofeach sp.indle, tendingpto, hold thesarnein' operative. position. Within the associated slat. However, thespindles cannot be displaced to;any, extentfrom the slats, because the knobs .48 engage the, surfacing 52 .of the backing bars.

lntime thestripsSl will. wear and become --thinner. The lowermost unit 49,01? Figure 3 shows strips- 57 which. have becomeworn, Generally asworu strip will-.have a thin portion 57b, which directly engages the periphery, of the spindle knob. and athicker portion; 570; which hasnotbeen worn-away to any extent. Whensubstantially all of the thinnenportion 57b has been :worn away,-the thicker portions-57c engage-the adjacent,shoulders-86-, h s lim ting: ur her, pansion o; thereby void. press-.- ing metal parts directly into engagement with the knobs 48.

In operation the drive units 49 accommodate themselves to Slight inaccuracies in manufacture and assembly, and this is permitted by flexing the members 53, by the general looseness of the mounting members 61 between the backing bars 51 and in the attachment to the members 53. in addition members 53 in effect may pivot about the pin 59, due to the relatively loose connection between these parts. Adequate driving torque is applied to each of the spindles in the picking zone throughout the useful life of the friction drive strips 57. As a strip 57 wears away and becomes thinner, the same pressure continues to be applied between the strip and each of the knobs or rollers 48. This is because the inflatable tube 58 does not act like a mechanical spring, which has a definite spring rate, but on the contrary applies forces to the strips 57 dependent upon the pneumatic pressure with which the tube is inflated.

When strips 57 have become worn, it is a relatively simple matter to remove that particular drive unit, and then either install a new unit, or repair the worn strips.

My improved spindle construction is illustrated particularly in Figures to 13 inclusive. As is customary in cotton picking machines of the Rust type, I employ a spindle in the form of a rod which is circular in crosssection and which is of constant diameter. It should be formed of relatively hard metal such as a suitable hard alloy steel. Special indentations are provided in its peripheral surface as illustrated particularly in Fig ures 11 to 13 inclusive. These indentations, designated individually by number 101, are preferably each in the form of an inverted pyramid, and are formed by application of a suitable indenting tool, provided with pyramid-shaped indenting studs. In forming these indentations a slightly raised edge 102 is formed about each indentation, as illustrated in Figure 13, due to deformation of the adjacent metal. In actual practice I have used indentations averaging about 0.015 inch in depth, and about 0.015 inch in width at the surface of the spindle, with a spindle measuring 0.162 inch in diameter.

While it is possible to extend the indentations over the entire surface of the spindles, I prefer to provide the indentations in spaced rows substantially as illustrated in Figures 11 and 12. Thus in this instance four circumferentially spaced rows of indentations are provided. Such spaced rows can be easily and cheaply applied during manufacture.

While I prefer to have the indentations in the form of square or diamond based pyramids it is possible to employ any pyramidal or similar shape.

I have discovered that a spindle having indentations as described above is greatly superior in its picking action to a smooth surfaced spindle. In general a machine equipped with my spindles will pick more efficiently than a conventional machine, and this superior picking efiiciency is maintained for practically all operating conditions.

It is probable that I do not understand all of the factors involved and which serve to explain why my special spindle will afford more efficient picking action. However according to my observations the indentations provide small wells of capillary dimensions which retain moisture from the spindle moistening operation, and which because of this moisture retaining action, cause the surface of the spindle to more effectively adhere to cotton fiber. It is also possible that the slightly raised edges 102 previously described aid in securing engagement and proper winding up action between the spindle and the fiber. Spindle surface wear occurring during the surface. Irrespective of the presence of such raised edges, or gradual wearing away of the same during use, the edges of the indentations provide relatively abrupt surface interruptions, which are maintained throughout the life of the spindle, and which aid in securing engagement and proper winding up action between the spindle and the fiber. Spindle surface wear occuring during the life of the spindle does not eliminate or make such edges ineffective, but in fact may make them more abrupt or sharper. Neither such edges, nor the slightly raised edges previously mentioned, interfere with stripping the wound up cotton from the spindle after the picking operation. Thus the present invention increases the picking efliciency of cylindrical shaped spindles, without interfering with the stripping operation, and by the use of means which maintains its effectiveness irrespective of weardto which the surface of the spindle may be subecte r I have observed that in addition to retention of moisture'in the indentations by capillarity, foreign material of moisture absorbing characteristics tends to accumulate in the indentations, and this likewise aids in the retention of moisture.

Irrespective of the various factors involved, my spindle construction is definitely an improvement in the art and serves to greatly increase practicability of my machine. In most instances the picking action of the machine is sufficiently efficient so as to avoid a second pass or hand picking operation to remove remaining material.

All of the above desirable features are obtained without the objectionable features commonly experienced when it is attempted to use prior types of spindles previously described. Thus my picking spindles are relatively inexpensive compared to the heavy tapered spindles used in machines of the International type, and the picking efliciency does not depend upon the use of projecting spurs, which become worn and lose their effectiveness long before the spindle would otherwise be discarded. It will be evident that such spurs as have been employed with machines of the International type can not be effectively used on small cylindrical spindle rods, because they would interfere with stripping of the cotton from the spindle. My spindle is also deemed more consistently satisfactory than spindles making use of a fluted surface, and the fiber can be stripped from my spindle in the same manner and with the same efficiency as for conventional smooth surfaced spindles.

I claim:

1. In a picking spindle for use in cotton picking machines, a metal rod having its peripheral surface interrupted by a plurality of relatively small indentations, said indentations being of capillary dimensions to retain moisture, and said surface being otherwise substantially smooth and unobstructed whereby cotton fiber wound about the rod may be stripped longitudinally from the same.

2. In a picking spindle for use with cotton picking machines, a rod having its peripheral surface interrupted by a plurality of relatively small indentations, the indentations being divergent outwardly and being of capillary dimensions, said surfaces being otherwise substantially smooth and unobstructed whereby cotton fiber wound about the rod may be stripped longitudinally from the same.

3. A picking spindle for use with cotton picking machines, comprising a small cylindrical rod having a relatively smooth peripheral surface interrupted by a plurality of generally pyramidal shaped indentations of capillary dimensions, said surfaces being otherwise substantially unobstructed whereby cotton fiber wound about the rod may be stripped longitudinally from the same.

4. In a cotton picking machine of the type provided with slender rotary picking spindles which are moistened by moisture applying means, and thrust into the cotton plant and rotated to Wind cotton about the same and then retracted from the plant with the wound cotton thereon, the cotton being thereafter stripped longitudinally from the spindles by stripping means, a picking spindle comprising a slender rod having its fiber engaging peripheral surface interrupted by a plurality of relatively small indentations, said indentations being dimensioned to retain moisture therein and to provide surfaces located inwardly of said peripheral surface and out of contact with fiber wound thereon, said peripheral surface being otherwise substantially smooth and free of fiber engaging means whereby cotton fiber wound thereon may be stripped longitudinally from the same by said stripping means.

5. In a cotton picking machine of the type provided with slender rotary picking spindles which are moistened by moisture applying means, and thrust into the cotton plant and rotated to wind cotton about the same and then retracted from the plant with the wound cotton thereon, the cotton being thereafter stripped longitudinally from the spindles by stripping means, a picking spindle comprising a slender rod having its fiber engaging peripheral surface interrupted by a plurality of relatively small indentations, said indentations being dimensioned to retain moisture therein and to provide surfaces located inwardly of said peripheral surface and out of contact with fiber wound thereon, the indentawise substantiaflywmooth and free of fiber" engaging. means whereby cottonfiber wound thereolr may be stripped lbngitudina'ly fromfihe" same" by' said stripping means.

lengthwise and cireumfer- UNITED STATES; BATENEES;

Spangenberg; June 7, 1887f Manning Apr. 2, 188.9 lgightfoot Nov; 6, 1917 Rust ct a1. O'ct."27; 1936i" Rust "Mm-1.1; 193.8:

Rust V Apn. 1271949 

